Tag: an indie author’s blog

Wolves and Ravens

Posted on by staceyjaine in Stacey Jaine McIntosh

Ringing in the last day of September having written 1080 words of fantasy featuring wolves and ravens. It’s been an interesting time.

To say it’s been a productive day would be an understatement because I actually haven’t written this much in a while. It feels good.

Not only that but as of September 30th I’ve submitted 54 works ranging from poems and drabbles, right up to stories reaching 12k in length.

Of those 54 submissions, I’ve had five rejections and thirty-five acceptances. Fourteen remain pending.

It’s quite an impressive list and my aim is to see out 2019 with 50 acceptances.

Fingers crossed I can achieve it! If I happen to reach it before December rolls around I’ll push for 60!

Hello, Spring

Posted on by staceyjaine in Stacey Jaine McIntosh

flowers

A lot can happen in three weeks. Yes, that’s how long its been since my last post. We, in the Southern Hemisphere have said goodbye to Winter and hello to Spring. Of course, the weather around here can’t quite make up its mind.

I love today for two reasons. One, because it’s officially Spring and two because the day and night are equal. Which somehow makes today seem more magical.

Aside from that, I’ve been busy writing. Working on a range of different stories, from drabbles right the way up to longer fiction. Right now I’m struggling with a 2,000 word short story. I love the concept but the words just aren’t flowing the way I want them to and I really hate the thought of having to give up on the submission opportunity so I’m stubbornly persisting with it in the hopes that something comes of it fairly soon.

So, fingers crossed. I think I’m going to need all the luck I can get.

If in the meantime you want to check out any one of the stories I’ve had accepted for publication so far, go here. And if you haven’t caught up on my mini Camelot Series you can do so here.

 

 

 

Curses & Cauldrons

Posted on by staceyjaine in Stacey Jaine McIntosh

If you haven’t preordered your copy of Curses & Cauldrons you’d better do it fast! This anthology goes LIVE in a matter of hours!

Within the pages of this anthology are eight of my drabbles. I won’t spoil it by rehashing what they’re about as I’ve done that twice already in previous blogs… BUT what I will say is if you haven’t, get your copy now! You won’t regret it!

Get you copy here!

Blood, Fire & Ravens

Posted on by staceyjaine in Stacey Jaine McIntosh

I’ve had a lot going on recently, not all of it good unfortunately. But, I’ve pulled myself out the other side and am back to making things happen once again.

So on to the business end of things… I’ve got a few story submissions to mention. Firstly, img_2357-1my story, Of Blood & Fire, was accepted into the Coffins & Dragons anthology by Dragon Soul Press. The release date has yet to be revealed but as soon as it is I’ll let you know.

Secondly, my story, A Storm Of Ravens, will be published in Divinity, an anthology by Iron Faerie Publishing. It’s scheduled for release on the 25th of October 2019.

I have other news to share, but I’ll make a separate post and share it when I’m not so strapped for time. Weekends don’t allow me much time at the PC. My kids have a tendency to hog it when I’m not quick enough. Roll on, Monday. LOL!

Myth & Magic

Posted on by staceyjaine in Stacey Jaine McIntosh

Iron Faerie Publishing are seeking submissions from 500 to 5000 words for their Myth and Magic anthology!

Love mythology and mythical beasts?

Then this submission opportunity is for you!

Open until full there’s still time to submit. And with over a dozen spots left to fill, you’d better get writing.

So, here’s three creatures I’ve stumbled upon during my research for this open call.

Basilisk – The Basilisk was a mythological creature so venomous that its mere glance could kill.

Chimera – From the right angle a chimera might look – if only for a second – like nothing more than a lion. But it’s far from it.

Harpy – Harpies are mythical creatures in Greek and Roman mythologies with the head of a woman and the body of a vulture.

I hope this open call and tiny selection of beasties inspires someone to write something great!

Le Fay is LIVE

Posted on by staceyjaine in Stacey Jaine McIntosh

I just hit publish on the kindle version of my short story Le Fay! It’s the prequel to Morrighan, which I first published almost a year ago as an eBook and later in paperback. I intend to have Le Fay available in paperback very soon.

The first story, Morrighan, deals with a retelling of the Arthurian Legends from Morgan le Faye’s point of view with a paranormal twist. If you haven’t read it you can purchase Morrighan for .99c here. Le Fay, is the story of a young Morgan. In the legends she’s sent to a nunnery, but in my version she is tricked and trapped by Arthur in a crystal cave for ten years and its here that she learns magick from Merlin.

 

le fay finalLe Fay is available for purchase for $1.99.

Synopsis: Ten-year-old, Morgan is horribly lonely with just her cat, Merlin for company. With no one else to play with, Morgan seeks the company of an imaginary friend, Arthur.
But, Arthur, isn’t who he seems and things turn sinister, when he reveals himself to be none other than Arthur Pendragon, Prince of Camelot, before locking Morgan up in the bowels of the earth in a long forgotten crystal cave.
Can she escape or will she be trapped within the crystal cave forever?

While I feel both Morrighan and Le Fay can be read as stand-alones, each story does end on a bit of a cliff-hanger.

And the Winners are…

Posted on by staceyjaine in Stacey Jaine McIntosh

winners

I’m a little late with this post but better late than never. So… a few days ago I announced a giveaway of two eBooks featuring stories of mine.

The eBooks up for grabs were Lost and Fable.

There were seven entries and according to random.org, the winners are as follows:

Kelly and Ailish

Kelly has won an electronic copy of Lost and Ailish, an electronic copy of Fable. I hope you enjoy reading.

Thank You to everyone that participated and I’ll be reaching out to the winners shortly.

Something Witchy This Way Comes

Posted on by staceyjaine in Stacey Jaine McIntosh

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It’s COVER REVEAL and PREORDER launch day for Blood Song Books’ debut witch anthology Curses and Cauldrons!

I’ve spoken about this anthology previously, but I’m talking about it again now, obviously, because its PRE-ORDER TIME!

Official Release Date is August 31st 2019!

I have eight tiny witchy tales featured in this anthology and I am extremely proud of each one. Drabbles can sometimes be tricky to write, given they have to be 100 words exactly. And telling eight different tales was a little challenging but I enjoyed writing each and every one.

My stories included are:

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  • Down the Rabbit Hole – is a story about a girl who takes poison from a witch.
  • The Keeper – is a retelling of the story of Cerridwen.
  • Mark of the Witch – is a story about a family of witches.
  • Undersea – is a story about a sea witch.
  • Excalibur – is a story about Morgan le Faye and the magic of Excalibur.
  • Harm None – is the story of a modern day witch performing a binding spell.
  • Red As Blood – is a retelling of the story of Snow White with a twist.
  • Bad Girls – is a story of three modern day witches about to be burned at the stake.

If any of the above stories capture your interest, you can preorder a copy of the anthology here! Preorder Link

 

The Memory of Trees

Posted on by staceyjaine in Stacey Jaine McIntosh

Today was not a good day. It hasn’t been for the last eleven years. Truth is, I don’t think it’s ever going to be a good day. It’s forever going to be a day tinged with sadness and regret.

Regret for all the things I didn’t say and regret for all things I did say but didn’t mean.

Looking back is hard. Mistakes are painful.

Death is mind numbing. And back then at 24, despite the countless number of funerals I’d already attended it was this one that blew me off my feet.

Nothing prepares you for losing a parent. My mum. She was 58. I thought she’d see seventy at least.

Enya was her favourite. It was played at her funeral. So, I find myself reminiscing and trying to listen to the song without crying. It’s not easy.

One day though.

Soon.

Angels, A Divine Microfiction Anthology is LIVE!

Posted on by staceyjaine in Anthologies, new release, published, Stacey Jaine McIntosh

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Angels, Book #2 in the Dark Drabbles Series by Black Hare Press is AVAILABLE  on Amazon TODAY!

From the back of the book:

Beatific angels, holy wars, kitty saviours, epic battles between good and evil, devils and demons, fallen angels and many more tantalising tiny tales of blasphemy and piety.

What miracles can one hundred debut to bestselling authors do with 100 words?

More than three hundred 100-word drabbles from around the world.

I’m lucky enough to be among those three hundred, with my two drabbles, Lucifer and No Light, No Angels.

Lucifer is a story about the fallen angel, Lucifer. While No Light, No Angels is something a little more personal and deals with the moments immediately following my mother’s death. It’s oddly fitting that the anthology releases on the 23rd July… one day before the anniversary of my mum’s death.

Get your copy today! Available in eBook and Paperback

To find out more about Black Hare Press, visit: Black Hare Press

Story Prompt Sunday

Posted on by staceyjaine in Stacey Jaine McIntosh, Writing

story prompt

Another Sunday has rolled around again and with it comes another installation of Story Prompt Sunday!

I hope you enjoy today’s opening line…

He was not a fighter.

And please, if you’re up for it, and it inspires you, share what you’ve written in the comments below!

Story Prompt Sunday

Posted on by staceyjaine in Stacey Jaine McIntosh, Writing

story prompt

Another Sunday has rolled around again and with it comes another installation of Story Prompt Sunday!

Being winter… it’s once again my source of inspiration.

I hope you enjoy today’s opening line…

I woke to the the sound of rain.

And please, if you’re up for it, and it inspires you, share what you’ve written in the comments below!

Fable is LIVE!

Posted on by staceyjaine in Anthologies, new release, published, Stacey Jaine McIntosh

Fable, the altered fairytale anthology is the debut release for Iron Faerie Publishing and features sixteen stories by sixteen different authors.

My story, Stealing Beauty, a alternative retelling of Beauty and the Beast, is one of the stories featured.

It all began Once Upon A Time… Only these aren’t the fairytales you grew up with.

Get your copy today! Available in eBook and Paperback

To find out more about Iron Faerie Publishing, visit: Iron Faerie Publishing

Fable is in the Top 100!

Posted on by staceyjaine in Anthologies, short stories, Stacey Jaine McIntosh

Woohoo! 🎉

The anthology, featuring my short story, Stealing Beauty, is currently sitting at #95 for Fantasy Anthologies.

It’s really exciting and I can’t wait for Release Day on Friday!

So, please if you haven’t… PREORDER a copy of Fable now. Myself and the 15 other authors would love to see this anthology reach new heights!

Pre-order Today!